CLEARWATER, Fla. -
The Indiana softball team battled all the way through the final pitch, but the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles used four first inning runs to claim a 7-5 win over the Hoosiers. The game was played at the E.C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla., as part of the USF Under Armour Showcase.

Leading the way for Indiana (1-16) was sophomore pitcher Sara Olson, who hit her second home run of the season, a three-run shot in the four-run fourth inning to get to within a run at 5-4. But FGCU (27-4) scored singe runs in the fifth and sixth inning to retake a three run lead and held on for the win.

Before Olson's shot in the fourth, sophomore catcher Brittany Stein plated the first run of the game with a single down the right field line, one of her two hits in the game. It also marked the fifth time in the last six games that she has recorded a hit and has at least one RBI in four of the last six games.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Kelsey Stander reached on an infield single and advance to second base on a wild throw by the FGCU shortstop. Heather Nelson then followed by reaching first on a fielding error by the Eagles' shortstop to put runners at the corners. Ritchison stepped in and hit a sharp ground ball to shortstop for a RBI fielder's choice and bring the tying run to the plate in the form of Emily Bergeson. After a long battle at the plate, Bergeson put the ball in play but popped out to the infield to end the game.

Olson (1-4) settled down after the first inning and ending up going the distance in the circle, allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and five strikeouts.

Indiana continues play at the USF Under Armour Showcase with a game against BYU later toady.